“We must distinguish between the huge profits reported by Total, or Shell, for example, and those made by owners of Luxembourg’s service stations”, Turmes stressed on Wednesday before MPs on the environment committee.
The CSV had requested the discussion in order to learn more about the contract between the government and the Energy & Mobility Group, which has been regulating oil prices in Luxembourg since 2004.
CSV MP Gilles Roth said the session had helped to clarify matters. Although there was no formula to determine the net margin for petrol stations, there was a gross margin, which was necessary to cover fuel transport, as well as staff costs and overheads. “It turns out that this margin has increased in recent months, as the prices for bringing fuel to Luxembourg have become more expensive and also because the volume purchased at the pump in Luxembourg has reduced”, Roth said.
Turmes insisted that he would continue to campaign at a European level for the profits of the big oil multinationals to be taxed. An ad hoc European tax is set to be introduced on 30 September.
